Paul Makes The Call

When observing the text in Acts 22: 1-16, we find Paul recounting the events surrounding his introduction to Jesus Christ and his obedience to the Lord's instructions. We also find a more detailed account of the dialogue of Jesus and Saul after the Lord caused the bright light from Heaven to shine down upon Saul.

Acts 9:3-6

3.And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Acts 22:6-10

6. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8. And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

The accounts in Acts 9 and Acts 22 are told from two different perspectives. Both accounts are given by Luke, the author of Acts, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Acts 22, however, is from Paul's re-telling of his eye-witness of these events. Acts 9 includes the statement of the Lord, "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks", which is not in chapter 22. Chapter 22 includes that Jesus was from "Nazareth". In Acts 22, Paul adds that those who were traveling with him saw indeed the light, and were afraid but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. This information, about Saul's traveling party, is not included in the ninth chapter.

In both passages, Acts 9:6 and 22:10, after Saul asks, "What shall I do, Lord?", the Lord replies, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

Further instruction, according to the Lord Jesus, is to be made known to Saul after he arrives in the city (Acts 9:6; 22:10). This instruction, was to be disseminated to Saul, by a certain disciple named Ananias (Acts 9:10-16).

The following is the instruction, as promised by the Lord, given to Saul by Ananias.

Note: Careful attention should be given to the words of Ananias to Saul; for the words that Saul

will hear from Ananias, are the specific instructions from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 22:12-16

12.And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13. Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Although verses 13-15, detailing Ananias' curing of Saul from his blindness by miracle, and the conveyance of the Lord's plans for Saul, once he becomes a disciple, are included; Ananias' instruction to Saul, as to what he (Saul) must do (Acts 9:6) to call on the name of the Lord to be saved, is found in verse 16 of chapter 22.

From the scripture, Ananias (the preacher), Paul, Luke (author of Acts), and the Lord Jesus, have revealed the imperative connection between the "faithful act of baptism" (Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:12), and "having one's sins removed" (washed away) Acts 22:16. Please see note.

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